Party Store Challenge

Episode 3 of Project Runway required the designers to use materials from a party store. Although Andy won this challenge, these were my favorites...

Napkins, paper bags, garland... I can't even imagine. These are some talented folks.

{ Photo Credit: projectrunway.com }

-s|p|t

Living southern...

While flipping through Southern Living magazine, I was drawn to these photos... (and because the "south" is the theme of the week!)

"Put all the things you love together. That's more chic, and it's the most fun thing to do." - Love that!

Guest Room/Garden Shed... why not!

Loving the clean blue and naturals. AND the bamboo rimmed mirror!

{ Photo Credit: Southern Living Magazine }

-s|p|t

Ahhhhh...

I spent the day in the beautiful town of Narrows (Giles County, South Western Virginia) at a friend's family's home and it was just perfect...

Rolling hills, nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, overlooking the New River, made for an incredibly relaxing day in the sun. Just what I've been needing!

-s|p|t

Meet Miss Avery Kate

After waiting over 2 months, I finally got to meet this lil peanut last night! She sat through dinner like a big girl and sits so pretty in her bouncy chair. I could stare at her and her smiles all day long :)

Miss Avery Kate is quite the lil sassy thing, but she let me snap some photos...

... and I've never been so jealous of another girl's closet!

I think I can handle this ;)

-s|p|t

A Smokin' Salad - Caesar with a kick!

When I find a salad recipe I like, I tend to make it over and over again until I can't stand it anymore. But that has yet to happen with this one...

Smokin' Caesar Salad (from a free, quarterly Raley's supermarket magazine!)

1/3 cup plain yogurt

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tbsp. soy sauce

2 tsp. wasabi paste

2 cloves minced garlic

1 head chopped romaine lettuce

1 cup croutons

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (try shaving in big chunks)

Combine yogurt, olive oil, soy sauce, wasabi paste and minced garlic in a small bowl. Season to taste with pepper. Toss with 1 head chopped romaine lettuce, croutons and Parmesan cheese. Makes 4 servings.

If you have the time, make your own croutons...

Garlic Croutons

4 tbsp butter

1 clove minced garlic

3 slices French or Sourdough bread, cut into cubes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large saute pan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in garlic, cook and stir for 1 minute. Add bread cubes, toss to coat. Spread on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, until crisp and dry. Don't let them burn! Let cool slightly.

Throw in come grilled chicken or shrimp to have it as an entree. You'll want to make it every night this week!

-s|p|t

Mary Roks!

So obsessed with my new Jeffrey Campbell wedge booties... I had to share!

The style name is Mary Roks and they're surprisingly comfortable with a rubber sole and padded footbed. Adds a touch of edginess (well, edgy for me!) to cropped jeans or a floral dress.

Find them { here! }

-s|p|t

Redecorate with pillows!

Every couple months, I have this urge to redecorate our place. I find that an easy, inexpensive, colorful way to change the look of your home quickly is with throw pillows. A couple I'm loving...

All of these above are Jonathan Adler - Ranging from $78 - 175 each

The top 4 above are from PillowDecor.com - Ranging from $19.95 - 69.95

The bottom left above is Crate & Barrel - $49.95

The bottom right above is Trina Turk - $118

{ Photo Credit: jonathanadler.com | pillowdecor.com | trinaturk.com }

-s|p|t

If it's pretty, I'll drink it!

How cute is this wine label? I know I'm not the only one who purchases wine based on it's label. Right?!

El Pensador Tempranillo 2008 - It actually won the Los Angeles International Wine Competition for Best of Class this year. And it's quite cheap!

-s|p|t

Gray Nails?!

After seeing a lot of this heather gray nail polish in magazines, I thought I'd give it a try...

I have to say, I'm digging this color!

A couple to try...

RGB Cosmetics in Steel

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails in Wet Cement

American Apparel in Factory Grey

-s|p|t

Team Gretchen.

She does it again! I have a feeling I'm going to be obsessed with anything Gretchen creates. I love everything about this one, even the models hair! She's so good at taking something pretty basic and adding little elements of creativity and detail (piping on the pockets, ties at the bottom back of the ankles).

I thought the designers stepped it up a bit this week. The other looks I liked from this episode...

Valerie's bold red dress with the detailed neckline, pockets & zippers... Mondo's flirty, high wasted skirt and the texture in Michael's dress (although it needed to be about 2" longer.)

Will Gretchen go for win #3?

{ Photo Credit: projectrunway.com }

-s|p|t

Because I Love Dessert!

And because I have a serious sweet tooth and clearly had some extra time on my hands, I decided to make a fruit tart to bring to tonight's dinner party.

This recipe came from a book that was created by a good friend. I give it a 9! (Only because I think I made the crust too sweet.) Easy to make and so pretty!

After a FABULOUS 3 course dinner, the tart was served. I think we all went back for seconds... because it's fruit, right?!

-s|p|t

Sunday Mimosas

There's something about a mimosa for Sunday brunch that makes the 58 degrees, clouds and mist ok :)

I walked down to Fillmore with a girlfriend this afternoon, for a late brunch. We ordered what everyone wants to, but doesn't...

Mimosas, French Toast with fresh berries and macadamia nuts, mac & cheese and a side of chicken apple sausage. Yup, we did!

{ Photo Source: eatmakeread.com }

-s|p|t

Lil baby Schwarze!

This morning, one of my best friends in the entire world, gave birth to her first baby! Unfortunately, she lives on the other side of the country, so I won't get to meet this perfect little guy for a couple weeks... which is just brutal!

This isn't a picture of baby Schwarze, but I imagine his little feet look just like this.

Sending ALL my love and best wishes to your new family. Tell my nephew that his Aunt Marge loves him!!

{ Photo Source: Carrie Sandoval Photography }

-s|p|t

A kitchen kick...

Isn't it funny how your priorities slowly start to change?

While looking (JUST looking) at a house in Portola Valley two weekends ago, I fell in love with its charming kitchen... butcher block, antique stove... very sweet! An amazing kitchen with a ton of sunlight will be a must for me in our first home. I would be in heaven cooking in these kitchens...

I love the contrast of bright white (and lots of it!) and the dark wood. I'm also LOVING the rustic with the whimsical chandelier and bright yellow. Just perfect!

{ Photo Source: homeanddesign.com | architecturaldigest.com }

-s|p|t

Oh the Gilt.

Gilt. I have resisted you for so long, but I can no longer...

{ Photo Source: gilt.com }

-s|p|t

Sunny San Diego?!

I'm off to San Diego to play and work for the rest of the week. Fingers crossed for a miraculous turn in the weather... I am so sun deprived living in San Francisco!

This picture is extra special to me! It was taken on May 1, 2009 at my favorite spot in San Diego, the cliffs in Del Mar, right after my husband proposed :)

-s|p|t

Sometimes it's the little things...

I was fortunate enough to work with the INCREDIBLE and AMAZINGLY talented Before I Do Events again, on a beautiful Rancho Sante Fe wedding this past May. I loved designing the printed items for this wedding...

... elegant letter pressed invitations with black satin ribbon, all custom made and hand assembled, with escort cards, menus, programs, sparkler sets to match.

Before I Do events created the most charming welcome baskets for the guests, and I helped with the custom water bottle wraps, map covers, and tags to finish it off!

This wedding was a dream to be a part of. I love working with such talented planners and brides with exquisite taste!

Before I Do Events - Check them out { here! }

{ Photo Source: Before I Do Events | Dane Sanders Photography }

-s|p|t

Mozella Music

I came across this picture of singer/songwriter Mozella and was reminded how much I love her. I've listened to her album "Belle Isle" non stop since downloading it over a year ago. It's such fun, funky, cool music that I'm constantly signing along to. My poor husband :)

Some of my favorites... "Freezing", "Hurry Up & Choose"

Check it out { here }!

{ Photo Source: musicremedy.com }

-s|p|t

Project Runway - Season 8

It's back!!

Project Runway is one of the few shows I watch on TV and season 8 premiered last Thursday. There were some questionable designs walking that runway, so I hope the designers get whipped into shape quickly. The winner of last week's challenge, Gretchen, is a mile ahead of the rest with this dress...



I absolutely LOVED it! The simplicity of the black dress with a touch of applique at the shoulders, and the flirty, open back, paired with those boots... I want it all! And apparently you can now bid each week on the designs created at ProjectRunway.com.

Can't wait to see what else Gretchen comes up with this season. This show always makes me want to break out my sewing machine and make something!

Thursdays at 9pm on Lifetime

{ Photo Sources: projectrunway.com }

-s|p|t

Country Music at Fort Mason

Yesterday, we broke out our cowboy boots, horned belts and spent the afternoon at the Country Music Festival held at Fort Mason. Jerrod Neimann, Ryan Bingham & Dead Hourses and the Zac Brown Band put on an incredible show. If you have the chance to see a concert at Fort Mason, DO IT. You overlook the bay (boats and the Golden Gate) to your left and the city to your right... it's kind of perfect. Great time, great music, GREAT venue, and the sun was even out!

(And country concerts provide such great people watching!)

-s|p|t